Women at the Helm: 8 Spanish startup and scaleups thriving under female leadership

In Spain’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, women are taking the lead in shaping the future of innovation. Across various sectors, female founders are not only breaking barriers but also driving growth in ways that redefine the landscape of tech, healthcare, education, and sustainability. These trailblazers are proving that diversity in leadership sparks creativity and results in groundbreaking solutions that address both global challenges and local needs.

As these women-led startups continue to grow, they are gaining recognition for their bold ideas and significant impact. Keep reading to explore a list of Spanish startups thriving under female leadership!

Founderz

Founderz is a decentralised education platform headquartered in Barcelona. Founded in 2015 by Anna Cejudo and Pau Garcia-Mila, its mission is to make education more inclusive and accessible to everyone.

The platform offers various online short courses, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation, catering to the evolving needs of learners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Founderz is positioned as a significant player in the educational technology sector, striving to empower individuals through accessible and innovative learning solutions.

As of 2024, Founderz has successfully raised a total of $1.57 million (approximately €1.46 million) over two funding rounds, with the latest being a Seed round in April 2023, where it secured approximately $1.1 million (approximately €1.02 million) from prominent investors Oryon Universal and Sevenzonic. 

LactApp Women Health

Founded by Maria Berruezo and Alba Padrò in 2016, LactApp Women Health is headquartered in Barcelona. It is the first digital lactation consultant, offering new mothers personalised, expert advice on breastfeeding and maternity through AI. 

LactApp has raised a total of $33,000 (approximately €30,690) in funding, with key backers including EIT Health, Conector Startup Accelerator, and Google for Startups Accelerator. While there is no latest funding stage reported, these investors have played a crucial role in advancing the company’s innovative vision.

The LactApp mobile application is the company’s flagship product, featuring real-time chat functions for immediate consultations, as well as tools to log baby health metrics like feeding and weight. It also provides comprehensive guidance on various breastfeeding topics, positioning LactApp as a vital resource for mothers navigating early childcare.

Uttopy

Founded in December 2016 by Cristina Fernandez Romero and Ines Echevarria, Uttopy is based in Barcelona. 

The company aims to drive positive social change by connecting NGOs, businesses, and individuals through everyday micro-activism. By encouraging small, meaningful actions, Uttopy seeks to create a community dedicated to making a larger impact over time.

Although specific funding and investors are not yet disclosed, Uttopy’s mission is reflected in its product line, which focuses on sustainable fashion and ethical practices. The company runs campaigns supporting causes like aiding premature babies, further emphasising its commitment to social good.

Moonai App

Founded in 2021 by Laura-June Clarke, Moonai App is headquartered in Barcelona. The app is dedicated to managing period pain through personalised music therapy, utilising soundscapes designed to alleviate discomfort and enhance overall well-being for women.

Moonai has successfully raised a pre-seed investment, securing €100,000 from Think Bigger Capital, along with additional funding from private angels and Techstars. With an estimated enterprise valuation ranging from $440,000 to $660,000 (approximately €409,200 to €613,800), as reported by Dealroom.co in April 2021, the company has established a solid foundation for growth.

The Moonai App’s positive reception is evident, having been recognized as “App Of The Day” by Apple in multiple countries and achieving over 25,000 downloads. By combining technology and wellness, Moonai is making strides in improving women’s health and offering a unique approach to pain management.

Nora Real Food

Founded in 2018 by Nora Vallcorba Barata and Albert Solé, Nora Real Food is based in Barcelona, Spain. The company is dedicated to transforming mealtimes into enjoyable experiences while promoting healthy and sustainable dining. By providing customers with balanced meals made from seasonal ingredients, Nora Real Food emphasises the significance of nutrition and environmental responsibility.

Operating without initial external funding, Nora Real Food focuses on organic growth and resourceful operations. The company aims to expand its services and is projected to achieve €4.5 million in annual revenue by 2023, indicating strong market potential despite not publicly announcing new funding stages since its inception.

Nora Real Food offers a diverse range of healthy meals, such as truffled fettuccine, roast beef, green hamburgers, falafel salads, and kale and mango gazpacho, all prepared daily with fresh, seasonal products. Committed to sustainability, meals are served in reusable glass containers or biodegradable options made from PLA, a corn-derived vegetable polymer. 

LetMePark

Founded in 2020 by Uliana Torkunova, LetMePark is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and is on a mission to transform the parking experience through innovative technology. The company offers a voice-powered virtual parking service, allowing users to park their vehicles using voice commands. By integrating with platforms like Amazon Alexa, LetMePark aims to streamline the parking process, making it safer and more user-friendly.

LetMePark has successfully raised a total of €741,000 in funding over five rounds, with its latest funding stage being Pre-Seed. Backed by investors such as CASTIVENTURES, S.L., the company has established a strong foundation for growth, with an enterprise valuation estimated between $132,000 and $198,000 (approximately €122,760 and €184,140) according to Dealroom.co as of August 2017.

The primary offering from LetMePark is its voice-activated parking solution, which enhances convenience and safety by allowing users to issue voice instructions for parking. Designed to work seamlessly with smart home devices, particularly Amazon Alexa, this service is positioned to cater to a broad audience, making parking more accessible and automated. With its focus on contactless interactions, LetMePark is set to revolutionise how people approach parking in urban environments.

ODDERS LAB

Founded in 2018 by Ana Maria Molina Jurado, Odders Lab is an innovative firm based in Madrid that specialises in developing cutting-edge products across various fields, including the Internet of Things (IoT), voice assistants, and virtual reality (VR). The company’s primary objective is to create immersive VR experiences that seamlessly blend technology with user engagement, particularly within gaming and interactive applications.

Its product lineup includes Les Mills XR Dance, launched on December 14, 2023, which focuses on health, fitness, and lifestyle and Chess Club, released on June 29, 2021, targeting strategy and classic board game enthusiasts.

In addition to developing VR experiences, Odders Lab actively seeks collaboration opportunities with talented individuals in the industry. Currently, there is yet to be specific information regarding funding and investor details.

MYHIXEL

Based in Seville, MYHIXEL is a pioneering brand that focuses on male sexual health. The company, which was founded in 2017 by Patricia López, aims to disrupt the traditional landscape of sexual wellness by offering innovative, technology-driven, and clinically validated solutions designed to enhance men’s sexual experiences. 

MYHIXEL integrates cutting-edge research with practical applications to provide a holistic range of physical and digital products aimed at improving sexual health while challenging the stigmas surrounding male sexuality.

On January 9, 2024, MYHIXEL successfully raised €1.4M across two funding rounds: €300,000 in debt financing from Zubi Capital and €1.1M in a venture round from SEGO Venture. 

The flagship products offered by MYHIXEL include MyHixel Control, a program paired with a device aimed at helping users manage and enhance their climax control, and the MyHixel Ring, an innovative device designed to improve erections and overall sexual performance.